Thursday, 30 April 2009

Wednesday, 29 April 2009

Friday, 17 April 2009

Like many others, I got to surrealism thanks to the work of Franklin Rosemont. I first read André Breton in Franklin's invaluable anthology, What is Surrealism? His introduction to Breton burned with the vividness of surrealism as a living movement. I didn't always agree with Franklin, but that's a mark of a living movement. That so many of us are part of that movement, arguing and collaborating and disputing and creating, is a testimony to his contribution over the years.

'... surrealism is not an aesthetic doctrine, nor a philosophical system, nor a mere literary or artistic school. It is an unrelenting revolt against a civilisation that reduces all human aspirations to market values, religious impostures, universal boredom and misery'.

Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Sunday, 5 April 2009

Do not be alarmed. I will instruct half a dozen servants to keep the venerated remains of your body and to protect them from the ravenous hunger of the dogs. No doubt the body has remained stuck to the wall like a ripe pear and has not fallen to the earth; but a dog can jump extremely high, if one is not careful ...

About Me

Go up to London, to London, that great City, write, write, write. And behold I writ, and lo a hand was sent to me, and a roll of book was therein, which this fleshly hand would have put wings to, before the time. Whereupon it was snatcht out of my hand, & the Roll thrust into my mouth, and I eat it up, and filled my bowels with it, where it was as bitter as worm-wood; and it lay broiling, and burning in my stomack, till I brought it forth in this forme.
And now I send it flying to thee, with my heart, And all.